Tool handle



Match13,1928. 1,662,610

. M. HOKANSQN TOOL HANDLE Fild May 5. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N rf/v 70/? MW? r//v Ham/wow March 13,1928. 1,662,610

M. HQKANSON TOOL HANDLE Filed May 5. 1924 2 Sheets-sheet 3 IN vE/v ran Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES parent cl rics.

MARTIN HOKANSON, OI DULUTH, MINNESUTIL, ASSl'G-NOR TO MARSHALL-712114138 GOM- PANY, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION. OF NEXV JERSEY.

TOOL HANDLE.

Application filed May 5,

My invention relates to improved means for mounting the wood handle in the socket or shank of a tool and while adapted for application to various kinds of tools is particularly designed for use with shovels, spades or scoops of the hollow-back type.

In tools of such type, a metallic extension of the blade is folded longitudinally to bring its longitudinal edges into adjacent abutting in relation to each other to form a tubular handle-receivingsocket; the opening between the edges of the plate forming the socket extending fromend to. end thereof and being usually on the under or rear side of the shovel, though the plate may be folded sothat the edges and opening will be on the upper side. The socket is curved at its inner end adjacent the point where it merges into the blade and when the wood handle has been inserted into the socket it is customary to pass rivets horizontally through the walls of the socket and the wood handle sections for binding them together. When a vertical reinforcing metallic blade is interposed between the sections of the handle, the rivets are passed through the center of the handle and when pressure is exerted on the handle in-the use of the tool, the strains or stresses are transmitted from the grip principally through the no reinforcing blade to the middle portion of the top rivet in the tubular socket, thereby tending to bend the rivet, which, if it occurs, has a tendency to downwardly force the wooden handle sections against the lower walls of the socket. Such downward pres-- sure of the handle sections against the inner surface of the socket wall may cause the socket to open or spread sufiiciently to per mit the reinforcing blade between the handle sections to buckle and therefore bend,

with the resultant ruination of the tool I handle.

The primary object, therefore, of this invention is to provide a reinforced tool handle having means whereby, when edgewise pressure is exerted on the reinforcing blade it will be transmitted to the ends of the rivet to exertashearing stress thereon instead of a bending action on the middle portion of the rivet, thereby eliminating any danger of the socket spreading.

A further object is to provide an improved method for inserting the handle and reinforcing blade into the socket.

A further object is to provide an improved 1924. Serial no. 711,115. 1

tool handle having a reinforcing blade inserted between the wooden sections thereof,

and which reinforcing blade is relatively narrower in width than the diameter of the handle when assembled so as to allow for shrinkage of. the handle sections; the corners of the handle sections and also the edges of the reinforcing blade'being rounded, so as to provide a smooth gripping surface for the handle in case of extreme shrinkage of the wood which might otherwise expose a rough edge oftheinetal. T

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this'specification, l v

Figure 1 is an edge view partially in section of a hollow-back shovel embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3'3 of Figure Q; i V

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the band or ring encircling the end of the handle;

Figure 5'is a sectional View on the line 5'5 of Figure'l; i

Figure 6 is a detail view of the assembled handle sections and reinforced blade ready for insertion into the socket;

Figure 7 is a side view of the same showing the curve formed in the reinforcing blade to fit the socket;

Figure 8 is aside view partially in tion showing the manner of thrusting handle and blade into the socket; V

Figure '9 is a similar view showing the position assumed by the handle end and blade when pushed into their seat in the socket. i

In the drawing, 2 represents a sheet metal see the shovel blade having a socket 3formed integrally thereon by folding a narrow metal extension, of the blade longitudinally into a substantially tubular form with alongitudinal opening 4. formed between the adjacent the main portion of the handle and having a shoulder 8 against which the end of the socket is seated when the parts of the shovel are assembled. A metallic reinforcing blade 9 is titted between the sections of the handle extending from end to end thereof and the inner end of this blade has a curved portion 10 conforming in the degree of curvature to the part 5 of the socket, and when the tions of the handle are assembled as indicated in Figure 7, the curved end of the reinforcing blade will project laterally beyond the end 7 of the handle. Suitable rivets 11 and 12 are passed through the handle sections and the reinforcing, blade. the heads of the rivets being countersunk and flush with the surface of the handle. The handle sections and blades are thus rigidly held together preparatory to mount" ing them in the socket.

Before insertion into the socket. the end 7 of the handle is steamed or softened by some suitable means so that it will bend easily and follow the curvature at. the inner end of the socket when forced thereinto. \Vhen the end of the handle is inserted into the socket the curved portion 10 of the reinforcing blade will enter the gap between the edges of the walls of the socket and will slide therein while the handle is being thrust into its seat. This operation is clearly shown in Figure 8 where the curved end of the reinforcing blade is shown as projecting through and sliding in the gap or slot formed at the under side of the socket wall. As the handle approaches the curved portion of the socket its softened end will bend and follow the walls of the socket while the reinforcing blade will be gradually withdrawn through the gap in the socket- Walls until the handle reaches its seat as indicated in Figure 9 when the reinforcing blade will be entirely within the socket and will be concealed between the sections of. the handle end. I thus provide a simple. inexpensive method of easily and quickly assembling the members of the tool.

It has been found in practical use that when a severe downward pressure is up plied to a. tool handle of this type that sometimes the rivet adjacent the end of the socket: will bend causing the wooden handle sections (3 and (5 to be forced downwardly against the walls of the socket to the extent that the socket will spread sulliciently to permit the reinforcing blade to buckle and bend.

To prevent such spreading of the socket, I provide a recess 1 in the surface of the handle end and preferably this recess is annular for convenience in making. lVithin this recess. I place a metallic band or ring l-lpreferably divided on one side as shown. The band or ring is formed to fit the shape of the socket and handle on which it is to be used and is preferably made so as to tit into the annular recess provided in the handle.

In assembling the tool handle. the band ll. is tilted into the annular recess 13 on the reduced end portion 7 of the handle after which the handle is inserted into the socket, 3 as shown in Figures 5 and 1. Alter the. handle has been properly seated in the socket a hole is drilled through the asseinbled parts including the walls ol the socket. band ll, handle sections: and reinforcing blade l), and a rivet l7 passed there through and its ends headed over, as shown in Figure 3. thus securely tying the parts together. It is unnecessary. however, as far as the utility of the hand or ring concerned to extend it beyond the point where it engages the ends of the rivet.

In Figure 3. I have shown the band terminating upon op iosite sides of the upper edge ot the reintorcii'ig blade. The lower edge of the blade bears on the middle portion of the band opposite the gap in the socket which. as shown plainly in Figure I). is bridged by this hand. 'lheret'ore. when pressure is applied to the handle tending to force the reinforcing blade through the gap in the socket. the edge of the blade will contact with the band and the stress will be. transmitted through the band to the ends of the rivet and exert. a shearing stress thereon which will eliminate the strain from the back part of the socket and thus prevent the handle se tions from spreading the socket. Thus. by the employment of this simple band in the construction of such a tool handle it will be impossible to spread the socket. and theret'ore to bend the rein forcing blade which will greatly increase the strength of the handle. it being practically rendered unlntailnlhle.

)leans are also provided whcrr-bv the joint between the handle sections and reinforcing blade will not become rough should the wooden handle sections vary in size due to shrinli'zge etc. To prevent this olilcctionable feature the corners ot the sections (l and (3" are preferably rounded as shown at (3" in Figure It; will also he noted that. the width of the reinforcing blade 5) is less than the diz'nnctcr of the assembled handle. thereby causing the edges thereof to be. sl ghtly below the surface of the handle. The edges oi the reinforcing blade H are also rounded as shown at ll. 'l'hus should the wooden sections vary in size caused by shrinkage or poor workmanship. the joints in the handle will still present a smooth cmi'rforlable grip for the hand of th IL-cr. as clearly shown in Figure In the drawings l have shown the novel handle used in conjunction with the ordinary type of hollow-hawk shovel. but it is to be understood that it may be used in con- Ilm junction with othertypes of tool handle sockets, such, for instance, as the inverted 'YP It will be noted that rivets 11 and 12 are adjacent upon opposite sides of the band 1 1- and serve to clamp the handle sections and blade firmly together at this point.

I claim as my invention:

1. A hollow back shovel comprising a blade having an extension at one end, folded to form a tubular handle socket with abutting edges of the socket wall longitudinally disposed and arranged at the rear of the blade, a handle having an end fitting in the socket, a reinforcing blade within said handle arranged opposite the opening and a sleeve upon the handle adapted to prevent separation of the edges of the socket wall and deformation of the socket wall during use.

2. A hollow-back shovel, scoop or spade comprising a tubular handle socket extending beyond the end of the shovel blade with a longitudinal opening on one side separating the adjacent edges of said socket, a bandle having an end to fit into said socket, a re inforcing blade within said end opposite said opening and a sleeve surrounding the handle end and arranged between said blade and longitudinal opening, and engaged by the blade.

3. A shovel, scoop, or spade, comprising a sheetmetal blade having a centrally arranged extension at one end that is folded longitudinally to bring its longitudinal edges into adjacent parallel relation with each other and form a substantially tubular socket, a handle having an end tofit said socket, a band fitting said end and enclosed by said socket, a reinforcing blade within said handle havingan edge positioned to contact with said band, rivets passing through the walls of said socket, the ends of said band, said handle and blade, pressure on said handle that would tend to separate the edges of said socket engaging said blade with said bands and transmitting such pressure to the ends of said rivets and the walls of said socket.

4. That method of mounting a reinforced handle on a tool blade having a tubular socket provided with a curved inner end and a longitudinal opening, which consists in placing a curved reinforcing blade between the sections of the wood handle, softening the end of the handle to allow it to bend and follow the curvature of the walls of the socket when forced therein, the curved end of the metallic blade initially projecting through the opening in the wall of the socket and sliding therein and gradually entering the socket through said opening and becoming enclosed thereby and coincident therewith when the handle and blade reach the limit of their inward movement.

5. A tool handle comprising longitudinally divided sections having opposing faces with rounded edges, a metallic reinforcing blade fitting between said handle sections and having rounded longitudinal edges between and adjacent the corresponding edges of said handle sections, said blade being of less width than said sections and its rounded edges becoming flush with the handle surface only when the handle has shrunk a pre determined degree.

6. A hollow back shovel comprising a tu bular handle socket extending beyond the end of the blade, with a longitudinal opening on one side formed by the meeting edges of the socket wall, a handle having an end to fit into said socket, a reinforcing blade within the handle having one edge in opposition to the opening and a sleeve surrounding the handle and engaged by the blade for preventing deformation of the socket when th shovel is in use. i

7. A device for the purpose described, comprising a pair of substantially semi-circular wooden handle sections, and a reinforcing blade interposed and fastened therebetween, a split collar encircling the socketengaging portion of said handle and engaging the rear edge of said blade, and having the split portion adjacent the front edge of the blade, whereby, after insertion into a shovel socket, and after introduction of a fastening device through socket, handle and collar, pressure on the handle tending to separate the socket walls will be transmitted to the collar.

8. A device of the class described comprising a pair of substantially semi-circular wooden handle sections, and a reinforcing blade interposed and fastened between the sections, a split band encircling the handle at its socket engaging portion, said band being embedded in the handle, andhaving those edges defining the split portion, disposed at the front side of the handle, at opposite sides of the reinforcing blade.

. 9. A shovelblade having a tubular extension as a handle receivin socket, with abutting edges of the socket wall-disposed at the rear of the blade, a handle composed of a pair of substantially semi-circular wooden handle sections having a reinforcing blade interposed therebetween, said handle having one end within the socket, a split band encircling the handle within the socket, and flush with its outer surface and a rivet traversing the socket wall and band at two points, and traversing the handle and re inforcing blade, said rivet extending in a direction generally parallel with the front face of the shovel.

10. A shovel blade having a tubular extension as ahandle receiving socket, having edges abutting, at the rear, and longitudinally arranged, a handle having one end within the socket, said handle composed of loo shovel, the Split or open portion of said band being arranged. at that side eorresponding to the front of the shovel. and a portion of said band being embedded in said reinforcint blade.

In witness whereof I hare hereunto set my hand this 1st day of May, 192-1.

MAR'ITN HOKA N50 N. 

